OCWD Online - 2004 Employee of the Month

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The Employee of the Month and Year Program is established to recognize outstanding Orange County Water District (OCWD) employees and to acknowledge their contributions to OCWD. The program hopes to encourage quality work, process or continuous improvement, teamwork, savings, customer service, and a high level of dedication. The program recognizes that OCWD employees are the source of our strength, reputation and innovation.

DECEMBER 2004

Employee of the Month: Nicole Carrow - Human Resources Specialist

Nicole Carrow

Carrow was selected because she is regularly asked to perform work outside the scope of her current job classification. She not only willingly takes on the tasks, but also does so with a great attitude. She has never once said that something was out of her scope of responsibility or too much for her to handle. If she does not know enough about the issue, she will ask or proactively research the answers. She is extremely adaptable. In the past few months, Carrow has been relied upon to keep up on issues without much direction. She has a great deal of ownership for the work. She has been asked to attend several board meetings after hours and to put in extra time. She has never complained. Carrow would work on her Friday off if asked, without any hesitation. In fact, she frequently asks what more she can do when things get really busy in the human resources department. She is deserving of this award for consistently having a can-do and very positive attitude, taking on tasks well above the expectations for her position, always attending to the needs of employees no matter how large her workload, and taking on senior work these past several months to enable her supervisor to attend to other priorities. Carrow does all this and more with a smile on her face.

Previous 2004 Employees of the Month:

NOVEMBER 2004

Employee of the Month: Nira Yamachika - Director of Water Quality

Nira Yamachika

Yamachika was selected for her outstanding dedication to Orange County Water District (OCWD). For more than seventeen years she has consistently worked long hours to ensure OCWD's water quality needs are met. She has been conscientious in assuring that presentations and reports that she prepared were thorough and addressed all of the critical issues. Yamachika has also assured that important information was passed on to the appropriate parties, including top management and her own water quality department staff. She makes certain that her staff is well informed by conducting weekly meetings and always makes sure that employees receive appropriate feedback regarding their performance.

Yamachika is extraordinarily dedicated to the OCWD's goals. As anyone who has worked with her can attest, she has been vigilant in assuring that water quality is protected at Orange County Water District. She has helped to assure that OCWD complies with all of its water quality obligations and permits and she has helped to protect the groundwater basin from threats of contamination.

Yamachika has managed limited resources in the face of growing demands for water quality testing. She has assured that critical testing is completed in a timely manner, including the recent Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule testing to fulfill requirements on behalf of the groundwater retail water agencies. With new monitoring wells continually added to meet permit and basin management requirements, Yamachika has had to prioritize the tasks to accomplish the additional testing, while maintaining ongoing programs. Working extra hours, she personally handled the preparation of the source water vulnerability assessments for the groundwater production wells, resulting in tremendous savings for the OCWD water retailers.

One example of Yamachika's outstanding dedication to her job and to OCWD employees and board members is that over the years she has had to pass up many functions, such as the holiday gatherings, birthdays and going away get-togethers, which were dear to her heart, in order to complete important assignments or participate in essential meetings. Although she could not attend some of these functions, Yamachika tries to go that extra mile to make sure her presence is still felt by the attendees.

If you work with Yamachika on any project, you will find that she is detail-oriented and a go-getter. She will not stop until the task at hand is done right.

JANUARY 2004

Employee of the Month: Joanne Daugherty - Engineer

As a engineer at OCWD, Joanne was selected for taking on multiple responsibilities on the Groundwater Replenishment System project. Some of these responsibilities included: Oversight of the 60 and 90 percent design review of the yard piping and reverse osmosis system, coordinating contractor submittals and information requests for the Initial Microfiltration Facility project and putting together the front-end specifications for this part of the project and the Advanced Water Treatment Facility (AWTF) projects, development of the electronic DVD version of the AWTF plans and specifications and developing a testing protocol for Water Factory 21 plant operation optimization.

Joanne has worked tirelessly in accomplishing these tasks working extended hours and coming in on her "off-Fridays". Joanne requires minimal supervision and has shown extreme good judgment in her decision making. Joanne is extremely worthy of this award.

Congratulations Joanne!!

Joanne Daugherty

FEBRUARY 2004

Employee of the Month: Tom Knoell - Senior Scientist

Tom was selected because of his outstanding initiation and organization of key projects. Over the past few years, Tom has been the lead scientist in the OCWD Water Resources & Development department responsible for the interface between OCWD and the Desalination Research and Innovation Partnership (DRIP) consortium. During the month of October 2003, Tom took on the responsibility of organizing the DRIP Annual Workshop, following this workshop he hosted the DRIP EPA 2 workshop. Both workshops were held at OCWD. These two events entailed a great degree of personal commitment on Tom's part; he had to maintain execution of his own research projects as well as meet a great number of challenges regarding the logistics of setting up a national conference with attendees from multiple states (requiring coordination of hotel accommodations, etc. for the presenters). Tom put in many days of long hours to host these two meetings. The results of his efforts were two extremely smooth scientific conferences that well represented to the scientific community the level of professionalism of the employees engaged in research at OCWD.

This successful management of the DRIP conferences is only one recent example of Tom's value to OCWD . Tom has been the person most responsible for designing and assembling the reverse osmosis membrane test benches needed for OCWD to perform the cutting edge research funded by the National Science Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies interested in membrane performance. The design of the Water Resources & Development interim research center being constructed at OCWD and of the final research center that will ultimately replace it when the Groundwater Replenishment System becomes operational may also be attributed to Tom's diligence and hard work.

Tom has also been the person most closely monitoring the status of the many grants under which research is performed at OCWD, thereby helping to hold down net District costs associated with important research initiatives.

Congratulations Tom!!!

Tom Knoell

**MARCH 2004**
Employee of the Month: Gordy Martin - Senior Heavy Equipment Operator
Gordy Martin	In order to meet an ever-increasing ground water pumping demand in excess of 500,000 acre-feet per year, OCWD has researched and developed innovative methods to improve its basin recharge capability. For the past several years the District has been utilizing new technology to remove silt from the bottom of the recharge basins in an effort to maximize percolation rates. OCWD has incorporated this technology into the development of four generations of basin cleaning vehicles (BCVs) that currently operate in four of the District's recharge basins. Gordon (Gordy) Martin has been involved throughout the BCV development and testing process. He has been tasked with both learning how to operate and maintain these unique pieces of equipment as well as training and supervising four operators who will command these devices in the future. Gordy has worked cooperatively with several component manufacturers and design engineers to make the vehicles work properly. Because these vehicles are the only ones of their type in existence Gordy has also been responsible for developing the operations and maintenance procedures for OCWD personnel to follow. It is common for Gordy and his crewmembers to work overtime and on their days off during the initial testing phase to fine tune the vehicles and develop the operational procedures. Thanks to Gordy's mechanical abilities, perseverance, and can-do attitude to make the development and successful operation of the BCVs a reality, OCWD will be able to replenish more ground water than ever before. With looming imported water shortages pending, capturing and recharging all available water supplies becomes a paramount necessity. Through Gordy's efforts in keeping the BCVs operating at maximum efficiency OCWD expects to recharge an additional 30,000 acre-feet of water annually while saving consumers approximately 7 million dollars in purchased water. Congratulations Gordy!!

**APRIL 2004**
Employee of the Month: Jenny Wedge - Communications Specialist
Jenny Wedge	A very dedicated employee, Jenny Wedge was selected as the Employee of the Month for going well above and beyond her normal office duties. Over the last few years Wedge has taken on the added responsibility of giving many, many Groundwater Replenishment System talks to the community to raise awareness and support for the project. The talks must be taken to the community groups, and unfortunately usually occur during weekends and weeknights. Wedge takes on this task willingly and receives nothing but praise from the audiences she talks to. She always performs in an outstanding and motivated manner with a positive attitude. When the Communications Director's schedule is impacted by higher priority events, Wedge steps in and cheerfully volunteers her time to help speak to more community groups . She also helps with various employee events. For these reasons Jenny is OCWD's April 2004 employee of the month. Congratulations Jenny!!

**MAY 2004**
Employee of the Month: Betsy Martin - Plant Operator
Betsy Martin	Ms. Martin was nominated for going above and beyond her normal job duties for the benefit of her coworkers and the community. With OCWD's new water purification plant, all the operators, electrical and maintenance staff need to go through training. The operations department wanted to video tape the training session to instruct the evening staff, when the actual trainers were not on-site. The communications department was asked to provide a video camera and they did, but unfortunately was unable to run the camera or train anyone to use it. Betsy took this camera, which is a more high-tech model than a home camcorder, and learned how to operate it. Betsy sought out a camera store for assistance. She figured out how to record the training, play back the footage and then continued to work to find out how to transfer the footage to a VHS size tape. The most outstanding part of all this is she's not a professional video camera operator, but she knew it was something that would greatly assist her department and she took time outside of her work schedule to make sure they had a camera for training. Betsy also volunteers her time at OCWD's Children's Water Festival. Betsy shops for all the supplies she needs for the activities she'll present. Then she prepares things on her own time so they are prepared for the kids at the Festival. These tasks are something the festival committee would normally do, but she offers to do this to save the committee's valuable time. Betsy truly thinks of others first and for this reason she is Orange County Water District's May employee of the month.

**JUNE 2004**
Employee of the Month: Patti Wimmerstadt - Buyer
Patti Wimmerstadt	Orange County Water District (OCWD) has named Patti Wimmerstedt employee of the month for June 2004. Wimmerstedt, a Huntington Beach, Calif. resident and buyer in OCWD's purchasing department, has worked for OCWD since 1985. Wimmerstedt's smile and soft-spoken nature go well with her positive attitude. She has always been a readily available team player in the purchasing department; this is a testament to her punctuality and attendance. Recent staffing changes in the purchasing department increased the department's workload. Wimmerstedt stepped up and took on additional tasks, going beyond her normal job duties. During OCWD's conversion from an older financial and purchasing computer system to a new software program, Wimmerstedt contributed extra time toward the inventory input, while continuing her own work with the various aspects of the new software. During this time-consuming transition, Wimmerstedt always managed to make time for the numerous requests she received daily. Most of these requests were "high priority" and "needed as soon as possible", where she had to negotiate fast delivery times while always saving costs to OCWD. Despite her enormous workload, she has also managed to acquire a Purchasing Manager's Certificate from night school in the past two years. For these reasons, Wimmerstedt was selected as the June Employee of the Month.

**JULY 2004**
Employee of the Month: Steve Fitzsimmons - Lab Director
Steve Fitzsimmons	Fitzsimmons has been an outstanding leader for the lab and for OCWD. He has worked under challenging conditions to meet the critical needs of OCWD. He has consistently remained focused on the highest priorities of OCWD and has set a remarkable example for his team in the lab. Fitzsimmons routinely works extra hours and frequently is in the lab on weekends to assume that critical tasks are completed. He is truly a team player. Fitzsimmons continually strives to increase efficiency; he has helped the lab to maintain an excellent reputation for high quality work. The lab has received very high ratings from the Department of Health Services lab, which has even called upon Fitzsimmons and his staff to collaborate on the evaluation of statewide laboratory performance with a large variety of chemicals. The reputation of the lab in dealing with new and emerging compounds, and developing new laboratory methods, has been key to the regulatory approvals for the Groundwater Replenishment System and to the public support for this vital water purification project. Fitzsimmons has been able to accomplish all of these things with the support of an excellent lab staff: Supervising Chemists, Senior Chemists, Chemists, Technicians and Interns. He has developed an extraordinarily effective system for cultivating new staff by preparing student interns and technicians to take on higher-level duties. This system has helped to assure that when someone leaves the lab, other people are trained and ready to step in to cover important tasks.

**AUGUST 2004**
Employee of the Month: Ruben Felix - Heavy Equipment Operator
Ruben Felix	Felix works at OCWD's Field Headquarters in Anaheim. In addition to his normal operational duties, he is in charge of the gnat-spraying program for OCWD. Gnats are a problem along the Santa Ana River during the summer months and Felix frequently receives calls from local residents about gnats swarming in their yards. To help alleviate the problem, Felix arrives at work between 3:00 and 4:00 am and begins spraying insecticide along OCWD property adjacent to the river. He continues the early morning spraying until 7:00am when he joins the remainder of the Operations crew tending to the Forebay recharge facilities. Felix performs this task dutifully and without complaint and is very courteous and understanding to local residents who call to express their concerns about the bug situation.

**SEPTEMBER 2004**
Employee of the Month: Dan Cohen - Senior Programmer/Analyst
Dan Cohen	Dan Cohen works in OCWD's information systems department and is a Senior Programmer/Analyst with technical responsibility for the PeopleSoft (formerly JD Edwards) EnterpriseOne Financial Information System (FIS) recently implemented. In the past, Cohen has also been responsible for the Lab Information Management System (LIMS), the Water Billing System in Accounting, and other database systems and programs such as the Children's Water Education Festival Scheduling Program. Cohen was selected as Employee of the Month for demonstrating effective working relationships, motivating or helping others while providing consistent, high quality work in his roles in both supporting the LIMS as well as in his new role with the FIS. Cohen has gained the confidence of the Accounting department in his support of the system. He has performed a specific outstanding accomplishment with sustained positive performance by supporting the communications department with the Children's Water Education Festival. When the communications staff faced problems with the scheduling program Cohen had developed, he came in on a Saturday to assure the program's success and hence the success of the communications group in organizing the festival. Cohen also shows a high degree of individual initiative in his work performance and sets a positive example for other workers by resolving problems or issues he encounters on his own. For example, in development of the Financial System, when challenged to find a way to print multi-part purchase orders on a laser printer, he researched the possibilities and implemented special paper for doing so. Cohen also has taken the lead in mentoring and training a new employee in his role as programmer analyst. Cohen is a great asset to the Information Services Department and to all employees at Orange County Water District.

**OCTOBER 2004**
Employee of the Month: Pat Lewis - Operations & Maintenance Supervisor
Pat Lewis	Lewis was selected for contributing to Orange County Water District's mission far beyond the requirements of his job and duties for the betterment of the District. Over the years, the Communications Department has put on several special events, from OCWD's Open Houses, the Children's Water Education Festival to various Groundwater Replenishment System milestone events. In each case, there were "special" requirements that came up at the last moment. For example, the GWRS pipeline dedication ceremony was supposed to take place outside by the river. Unfortunately, that was not possible due to weather and so the night before the ceremony, Pat was asked to fabricate a ceremonial piece of pipe for the special event. Not just any pipe, it has to be large enough to represent the 66-inch pipe used for the project. The next morning, he had a pipe for the event. It was a big success and everyone took pictures around the pipe. Another example of a consistent, year after year, "can-do" attitude of support was at the Children's Water Education Festival. Lewis supported the event by helping break down the event and pack everything back up to return to the District. With an event that supports over 7,000 children in two days, there is a great deal of logistical support that Lewis provided willingly and with a great attitude. Lewis also contributes to the Groundwater Replenishment System construction. He is always responsive to construction issues. His quickness and ability to make field decisions results in increased efficiency and reduced costs. Lewis is a huge asset to the construction team.